MEET THE STAFF
JACQUELYN DO
Born and raised in Orange County, Jacquelyn Do received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with concentrations in Education and Literature, and a minor in Linguistics from San Francisco State University. In Fall 2020, she joined the Charade team as a receptionist and now serves as the Administrative Operations Manager.
While not a dancer herself, Jacquelyn is a passionate advocate for the arts. She is a founding board member of the Vietnamese Creatives Collective, a nonprofit committed to supporting emerging Vietnamese artists from all creative backgrounds. With over four years of experience as a tutor and piano instructor, she merges her teaching background with administrative skills to drive Charade’s growth. She works closely with Charade’s founder and director, Dorothy Ho, to plan events, oversee operations, and manage the administrative team. She envisions Charade as a space for dancers to express themselves and build their own community.
Outside of the studio, you can find Jacquelyn working as an event producer or curled up with a good book and her pet rabbit, Dr. Pepper.
What’s a favorite memory from the early part of your career (particularly with the age groups you currently teach)?
I studied English Education in college, and while I didn’t have a dance background, my teaching experience helped me manage operations at Charade. It taught me how to balance class schedules, instructor assignments, and create a positive learning environment, which has been essential in my role here. When I stepped into an administrative position, I realized I was able to dictate things that were previously out of my control as a teacher—class schedules, duration, enrollment. That moment of realization helped propel me towards the goal of developing an enriching learning environment for our dancers.
Can you share a small story about what inspired you to pursue dance?
Dorothy and I have been friends since elementary school, both growing up in Garden Grove and raised by first-generation Vietnamese American immigrants. Our families didn’t speak much English and had limited financial resources, so extracurricular activities like sports and the arts were out of reach for us. There were few prestigious dance schools in our neighborhood, making it even harder to pursue our passions. To me, Charade is a love letter to our childhoods. I’m passionate about ensuring that the opportunities we couldn’t access as kids are now available and welcoming to today’s generation.
Who has been a significant figure in your dance journey (mentor, teacher, etc.)?
All our dancers! I'm constantly inspired by how much energy and enthusiasm our dancers bring to rehearsals, performances, and studio events. I make sure to plan events that continue to give our dancers opportunities to participate in friendly competition, learn about cultural holidays, and make new friends.
What advice would you give to young dancers or to yourself when you first started?
Don't be afraid to try new things! Pursue the things that are challenging to you and set goals for self-improvement.
What’s been the biggest challenge you've faced in your dance career, and how did you overcome it?
Every new season brings uncharted territory for Charade! We're constantly growing with our dancers, which means that we're constantly trying new things and developing our curriculums for more advanced learning.
///OUR TEAM
Our instructors are all professionally trained dancers who are committed to sharing their expertise and skills with you! Using their background knowledge of dance fundamentals and experience in professional performances and competitions, our instructors lead by example and passion, helping dancers grow into their potential.
